Raye’s This Music May Contain Hope Is A Cinematic Triumph
Raye just dropped the album of the year with This Music May Contain Hope.
I first discovered Raye back in 2018 with her songs “Decline,” “Cigarette,” and “Friends.” Her electropop sound immediately hooked me and I’ve been following her journey ever since. In 2021, she revealed that Polydor Records had been withholding her debut album for years. After years of writing for other artists and dropping singles that weren’t supported, Raye went independent and it’s been her best move yet. In 2023, she finally released her debut album My 21st Century Blues. It featured a theatrical blend of pop, hip-hop, jazz, and soul that turned deeply personal stories into empowering anthems. “Escapism” went viral on social media, going number one in the UK and marking her first US Billboard Hot 100 entry. I was lucky enough to see her perform that album live. Favorites of mine included “Oscar Winning Tears” and “Hard Out Here.” Her historic six-win sweep at the Brit Awards and recognition as the first female Songwriter of the Year at the Ivor Awards cemented her as a true force in music.
Now, her second studio album is here and it was worth the wait. With 17 tracks spanning 73 minutes, the album is structured around the four seasons. She creates a cinematic, theatrical experience that feels like a full-stage production. There’s big band flair, jazz tracks, house bops, and powerful messages about life after love, female friendship, and self-worth. The production is impressive, the lyrics are moving. Raye brings in her grandparents, her sisters, and legends like Al Green and Hans Zimmer to craft a truly immersive journey through her emotions.
From darkness to light, the album takes you on a ride from the very first track. Her introduction “Girl Under The Grey Cloud” evokes an old Hollywood film noir energy. “Beware… The South London Lover Boy” feels like a mix of Rocky Horror or “Thriller,” with a touch of Hair, before building into a big band Chicago-style energy. “Click Clack Symphony” feels like a cinematic “Formation.” “I Know You’re Hurting” reminds me of Prince as it explores wanting to be there for someone you care about. It’s extended run time lets you fully sit in that feeling of healing. By the end, “Fin” feels like Disney World magic mixed with the credits of an old Hollywood movie as she breaks down the credits of every person who contributed to the album. Artists don’t typically do that and it’s a beautiful acknowledgment of the team behind her vision.
Favorites for me include “The WhatsApp Shakespeare,” “Click Clack Symphony,” “Where Is My Husband?,” “Skin & Bones,” “Winter Woman, and “Nightingale Lane.” But honestly, this is a no-skip album. Listening from start to finish feels like watching an entire theatrical performance, which is why I’m still trying to get tickets to her New York City show. It just feels like something you need to see live.
Raye is an inspiration. She’s a woman who knows her own worth, is creating on her own terms, and succeeding in an industry that often tries to hold women back. This album just opened up a whole new world of things I want to see from Raye next: an Oscar-winning Bond song, a swoony Bridgerton track, or even a full-blown musical.
Which track off This Music May Contain Hope is your favorite?
